Parshat Va'etchanan
by Louis Gershon

Prayer.

The opening possuk of the Sidra begins with the words "I implored Hashem".

Rashi explains the word va'eschanan as one of the ten terms for prayer, with its root being Chinam, meaning free. Although tzaddikim have the merit to ask Hashem to fulfill their requests, they are asking for a mantas chinam, an undeserved favour. The truly righteous never feel that Hashem owes them.

They have no claim to demand Hashem's mercy; rather they implore him for it. The mere fact that that there are ten terms for prayer indicates its unique quality as well as its diversity. Simply put, people come in all shapes and sizes with varied personalities and qualities. Likewise the issues that confront us are also of a diverse nature. People respond to challenges differently. Therefore they pray to Hashem differently.

Some might argue that tefillah is tefillah, prayer is prayer. One opens a siddur which is the prayer book designated by our Sages as the uniform manual for prayer - and prays! That's the first mistake. In order for prayer to be meaningful and effective, one must know how to pray.

Reading by rote is not what our sages had in mind when they designed the siddur. Even a person who understands the meaning and implications of the prayers defeats the entire purpose if he lacks one primary ingredient in his recitation.

When one stands before Hashem in prayer he must submit himself totally and exclusively to Him. Prayer is an expression of love and respect.